The Sanskrit Language of the Divine: A Collection of Terms You Would Normally Find in Hinduism Spirituality

You must’ve been accustomed with the Sanskrit word of Karma. The meaning and when to use this word. What about Namaste? Or perhaps, Yoga? Oh those are Sanskrit terms that are used world-wide nowadays. Let me share with you much more meaningful and sacred Sanskrit words that define the characteristic of the Divine. Sanskrit terms for your soul, for your knowledge and wisdom, through this article.

Sanskrit terms are being used in Bali to explain further about things that aren’t quite explainable like the character of Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, the Bali Hindu name of our Ultimate God, Shiva. Sankrit terms are words used in India where the Vedas came from. Balinese people although not all have the capability of learning about our holy bible of Vedas, are used to some of below terms when it comes to our Spiritual knowledge. Jero Mangku Geni, our Master of Energy also using these words in his classes explaining about Hindu Spiritualism and energies frequently. So make sure when you are in his class, you understand the meaning of those Sanskrit words before-hands.

  1. OM. This term is a sacred syllable that is often used to represent the ultimate reality of the divine in Hinduism. It is believed to be the sound of the universe and is often used as a mantra in meditation and spiritual practice.
  2. Brahman: This term refers to the ultimate, supreme reality in Hinduism. It is often used to describe the absolute, infinite, and eternal nature of the divine.
  3. Atman: This term refers to the individual soul or self in Hinduism. It is believed to be a part of the ultimate reality of Brahman and is eternal and indestructible.
  4. Maya: This term refers to the illusion or illusionary nature of the material world. It suggests that the material world is not the ultimate reality and that it is an illusion created by the divine.
  5. Karma: This term refers to the concept of cause and effect in Hinduism. It suggests that the actions and choices made by individuals have consequences and shape the nature of their experiences in the material world and beyond.
  6. Moksha: This term refers to the ultimate goal of Hindu spiritual practice, which is liberation from the cycle of reincarnation and union with the ultimate reality of the divine.
  7. Samsara: This term refers to the cycle of reincarnation in Hinduism. It suggests that the souls of individuals are reborn into new bodies after death, depending on the actions and choices made in their previous lives.
  8. Jnana: This term refers to knowledge or wisdom in Hinduism. It is often used to describe the ultimate, transcendental knowledge that is attained through spiritual practice and union with the divine.
  9. Bhakti: This term refers to devotion or devotion to the divine in Hinduism. It suggests that the path to spiritual enlightenment and union with the divine can be achieved through devotion and worship
  10. Samadhi: This term refers to a state of deep meditation and spiritual absorption in Hinduism. It is often used to describe the state of enlightenment or union with the divine.

We will add some more specific Sanskrit terms you may encounter once during your Spiritual journey such as:

  1. Nirguna: This term refers to the divine as being beyond attributes or qualities. It suggests that the divine is beyond the limitations of the material world and cannot be fully understood or comprehended by the human mind.
  2. Saguna: This term refers to the divine as being with attributes or qualities. It suggests that the divine can be experienced and understood through the material world and can be approached through devotion and worship.
  3. Parabrahman: This term refers to the ultimate, supreme reality in Hinduism. It suggests that the divine is beyond all attributes and qualities and is the ultimate source of all things.
  4. Advaita: This term refers to the concept of non-duality in Hinduism. It suggests that the ultimate reality of the divine is one, indivisible, and non-dual, and that all things are ultimately interconnected and part of the same ultimate reality.
  5. Dvaita: This term refers to the concept of duality in Hinduism. It suggests that the divine is separate from the material world and that the ultimate reality is dual, with the divine on one side and the material world on the other.
  6. Ananta: This term refers to the divine as being infinite and eternal. It suggests that the divine has no beginning and no end and is beyond the limitations of time and space.
  7. Sat-chit-ananda: This term is often used to describe the nature of the divine in Hinduism. It is made up of three Sanskrit words: “sat,” which means “being,” “chit,” which means “consciousness,” and “ananda,” which means “bliss.” Together, these words suggest that the divine is being, consciousness, and bliss, and that it is the ultimate source of all existence, knowledge, and joy.
  8. Parameshvara: This term refers to the supreme lord or ruler of the universe in Hinduism. It suggests that the divine is the ultimate authority and source of all power and authority in the world.
  9. Brahmananda: This term refers to the ultimate bliss or joy that is attained through union with the divine. It suggests that the ultimate reality of the divine is a state of perfect joy and happiness.
  10. Shunya: This term refers to the concept of emptiness or void in Hinduism. It suggests that the ultimate reality of the divine is beyond all attributes and qualities and is beyond the limitations of the material world.
  11. Parashakti: This term refers to the supreme power or energy of the divine in Hinduism. It suggests that the divine is the ultimate source of all power and energy in the universe.
  12. Paramatman: This term refers to the supreme soul or self in Hinduism. It suggests that the individual soul is ultimately a part of the ultimate, supreme reality of the divine.
  13. Bhagavan: This term refers to the divine as being supreme and all-pervasive. It suggests that the divine is the ultimate source of all things and is present in all things.
  14. Prana: This term refers to the divine as being the personification of the breath. It is often used to describe the divine as being the source of all life and the sustain-er of the natural order.

What about the Sanskrit terms of all deities, God & Goddesses of Hinduism? No biggie, we got you.

  1. Shiva: This term refers to a form of the divine that is associated with destruction and transformation. It is often used to describe the divine as being the destroyer of the old and the bringer of new beginnings.
  2. Ganesha: This term refers to a form of the divine that is associated with wisdom and knowledge. It is often used to describe the divine as being the remover of obstacles and the giver of wisdom and knowledge.
  3. Durga: This term refers to a form of the divine that is associated with protection and strength. It is often used to describe the divine as being the protector of the world and the giver of strength and courage.
  4. Kali: This term refers to a form of the divine that is associated with transformation and change. It is often used to describe the divine as being the destroyer of the old and the bringer of new beginnings.
  5. Lakshmi: This term refers to the divine as being the source of prosperity, abundance, and well-being. It is often used to describe the divine as being the giver of all good things and the ultimate source of abundance and prosperity.
  6. Parvati: This term refers to a form of the divine that is associated with fertility, creativity, and abundance. It is often used to describe the divine as being the source of all life and the giver of abundance and prosperity.
  7. Rudra: This term refers to a form of the divine that is associated with destruction and transformation. It is often used to describe the divine as being the destroyer of the old and the bringer of new beginnings.
  8. Visnu/Wisnu: This term refers to a form of the divine that is associated with preservation and maintenance. It is often used to describe the divine as being the ultimate sustainer of the universe and the protector of all life.
  9. Rama: This term refers to a form of the divine that is associated with righteousness, justice, and morality. It is often used to describe the divine as being the embodiment of virtue and the protector of the moral order.
  10. Krishna: This term refers to a form of the divine that is associated with love, compassion, and wisdom. It is often used to describe the divine as being the source of all love and the embodiment of divine wisdom.
  11. Sita: This term refers to a form of the divine that is associated with fidelity, devotion, and purity. It is often used to describe the divine as being the embodiment of virtue and the protector of the moral order.
  12. Vayu/Bayu: This term refers to the divine as being the personification of the wind. It is often used to describe the divine as being the source of all movement and the bringer of change.
  13. Varuna/Baruna: This term refers to the divine as being the personification of the water. It is often used to describe the divine as being the source of all life and the protector of the natural order.
  14. Indra: This term refers to the divine as being the ruler of the gods. It is often used to describe the divine as being the protector of the natural order and the defender of the world.
  15. Yama: This term refers to the divine as being the personification of death. It is often used to describe the divine as being the ruler of the underworld and the keeper of the souls of the deceased.
  16. Surya: This term refers to the divine as being the personification of the sun. It is often used to describe the divine as being the source of all life and the bringer of light and warmth.
  17. Chandra: This term refers to the divine as being the personification of the moon. It is often used to describe the divine as being the keeper of time and the source of all cycles and rhythms.
  18. Maruts: This term refers to the divine as being a group of storm gods. It is often used to describe the divine as being the bringers of change and the forces of nature.
  19. Asvins: This term refers to the divine as being a pair of twin gods. It is often used to describe the divine as being the bringers of light and the protectors of the natural order.
  20. Devas: This term refers to the divine as being a group of gods and goddesses. It is often used to describe the divine as being the protectors of the natural order and the bringers of good fortune.

Do you perhaps recognize any of the Sanskrit words other than the first 10?

With the beautiful sound and meaning of each term, so many people are drawn to use them and put them as their name or sometimes alias for many spiritualist. In Bali, we do also use some Sanskrit terms for our names after our well-known Balinese traditional name. However, many of Sanskrit words and terms are to describe the nature of the divine which means that they hold a power of the supreme energy such as Shiva, Vishu, Chandra or Surya.

You must have notice that some Balinese have the same name as in Sanskrit terms. Balinese parent always wants the best for their children and the child’s names are often the reflections of their wishes, hence there are many Balinese people named after the God Surya or Chandra and Krishna. Our tradition suggest to consult with Balinese Priest first to check if it’s appropriate to use any Sanskrit terms as name since there are so many cases where the person’s body and energy aren’t in equal strength with the divine name being used and cannot hold the power that caused people to easily get sick, become weaker, or spiritually confused.

It is important to understand the power of the names of the divine being and to give some extra thoughts before using their name to avoid unnecessary weight. Those Sanskrit terms are reserved for the purest form of energy. The name bearer must then follow spiritual practices in their life to aligned with the holy energy reside in each Sanskrit terms in order to steer-off of any implications and imbalances that may caused when one’s body, mind and soul are impure. So that the Sanskrit terms that are being use as a person’s name, can truly reflect it’s goodness and virtue in life as wished for.

Scroll to Top